Janine Wagner, a kindergarten teacher at Monterey Road with nearly 30 years’ experience, told trustees that current kindergarten classrooms are too large and under‑staffed, and she urged the district to invest in smaller class sizes, full‑day aides and play‑based learning.

Wagner described full‑day kindergarten classrooms where one full‑time teacher is supported by an aide shared between two classes and sometimes a part‑time aide during reading or workshop time. She said classes commonly hold 26 students and that many incoming kindergartners are still learning foundational skills such as how to hold a pencil, wait their turn and recognize letters and numbers. “If good habits are taught and supported from the beginning, we will not need to take the time later to correct them,” she told the board.

Wagner’s requests and rationale: She asked the district to consider decreasing class size and increasing personnel in kindergarten and first grade, to provide qualified, well‑compensated aides who remain in each classroom for the entire school day, and to “slow down our curriculum” in early grades in favor of play‑based learning rather than workbook‑driven instruction.

Board response: The superintendent said she would visit Wagner’s classroom at Monterey Road and thanked her for raising the issue. No formal action was proposed at the meeting; Wagner framed her comments as a personal appeal on behalf of current and future students.

The board heard Wagner’s comments during public comment; staff and trustees acknowledged the importance of early learning and said they would review the request.